Max Holloway makes his play amid talk of Conor McGregor delaying featherweight return

There’s always talk but the latest chatter in MMA circles seems grounded in reality.

Following his welterweight win over Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor was asked about returning to the featherweight division where he made his name, and holds the UFC title. He mulled, then replied:

“We rescheduled a two-year round the world deal with that [Jose Aldo] boy and then he stepped in and I beat him in 13-seconds.”

“It’s hard for me to get excited about that, especially after his last performance. It was a decision. He didn’t go out [against Frankie Edgar] and get it like I wanted him to get it. So, I don’t know. We’ll see.

“I’m the 145 lb champion. The interim 145 lb champion is a man I KO’d in 13-seconds. so I have to figure out what’s next.”

Um, dois, três, vai correr mais uma vez…
One, two, three, again he's going To flee…

— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) August 26, 2016

UFC president Dana White insists Conor McGregor is the master of his UFC destiny – he either fights interim featherweight champion Aldo next or gives up the belt for a shot at lightweight kingpin Eddie Alvarez.

With UFC 205 coming up in November and a headline bout needed – Ronda Rousey will not fight at the Madison Square Garden event – McGregor versus Alvarez would fit the bill. Two tweets from the past 24 hours suggest the match-scheduling plates are moving.

TalkMMA claims McGregor wants Alvarez next, at UFC 205, but is not keen on relinquishing his 145 lbs belt. In return for getting a crack at the lightweight strap, McGregor is purportedly willing to defend the featherweight hardware early in 2017.

While the source has been quick off the mark with past stories, such as Chris Weidman pulling out of UFC 199, a tweet from Max Holloway has provided a layer of credence.

We been here. @TheNotoriousMMA is doing soul searching so let's get this deal done @josealdojunior @ufc #ufc205

— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) September 8, 2016

Blessed is on a nine-fight win streak since losing a decision to McGregor in 2014. He is ranked behind Frankie Edgar in the featherweight division but has done enough to warrant a shot at Aldo, should McGregor find a better fight.

Chael Sonnen believes Anthony Pettis’ successful drop to the featherweight division would set up a tantalising fight with Aldo but Holloway is having none of it.

https://twitter.com/BlessedMMA/status/773737276090163200

Aldo versus Holloway on a UFC 205 undercard headlined by McGregor vs. Alvarez? Thrown in Cowboy Cerrone against Robbie Lawler and we could have the makings of one hell of a night in NYC.

The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.